LP / CD / DL
Out Now
8 / 10
It had to happen, the only question is why it took so long?
Music pioneers Coldcut (Matt Black and Jon More) emerged in the
late 80s as pop samplers paving the way for DJ styled records with Eric B &
Rakim, James Brown and The Fall amongst their early projects whilst also
recorded in their own right and bursting onto the scene with ‘Say Kids, What Time Is It?’ With Yazz and Lisa Stansfield featuring on
early collaborations, starting pop careers for both of them, Coldcut quickly
became innovators of electronic dance music.
Adrian Sherwood and label On-U Sound really need little introduction, present
in the last five decades, the label was at the forefront of alternative sounds
for the likes of Mark Stewart, Tackhead and Gary Clail as well as exposing Lee
‘Scratch’ Perry as the tour de force that he is today. Also a renowned remixer, Sherwood remains in
huge demand today.
The collaboration of Coldcut and On-U Sound is genius. Drawing from each other’s pasts and merging
them together, they are perfect partners.
An all-star cast featuring Skip McDonald, Doug Wimbush, Perry and Junior
Reid to name just a few endorsing the feeling of a true collective affair with
each artist bringing their own indisputable talent to the party, and what a
party it is.
From the opening of ‘Vitals’ featuring Roots Manuva, a strong reggae
feel with trademark Sherwood effects and ‘that’ On-U swing, choruses of deep
melodia and the undoubted Coldcut touch, a distinct feel is initiated straight
away. The genius of all three producers
and remixers is clear to see and in less than three minutes the tone is set for
a quite remarkable album.
Outside The Echo Chamber promises so much and without doubt,
delivers in large amounts. The name of Coldcut’s
record label, Ahead Of Our Time, is no coincidence with both artists at the
forefront of their game for many many years, with many replicas and pretenders
never beginning to scratch the surface. ‘Metro’
is a powerful instrumental with some quite exquisite dub effects and tabla
percussion, and acts as a diverse prelude to last year’s single ‘Everyday
Another Sanction’ (featuring Chexidek) in a roots/rocksteady style once more
with some well-timed reverb and a more
commercial feel.
Elan Atias joins the party on ‘Mark Up Your Mind’, another radio friendly
track with dancehall feel which is given a gender reversal when Ce’ Cile takes
to the mic on one of six additional dub mixes on the album making the album
worth the purchase price alone. The overall
sound of the album is clinical as you’d expect from the trio, and the quality
of production and reverb is absolutely stunning. A pairing made for each other and well worth
the wait, and a genuine hope that they will decide on a volume 2 in the not too
distant future.
Coldcut Website
Coldcut Twitter
Coldcut Facebook
On-U Sound website
On-U Sound Twitter
On-U Sound Facebook
Published on God Is In The TV 31/05/17 - here
Coldcut Website
Coldcut Twitter
Coldcut Facebook
On-U Sound website
On-U Sound Twitter
On-U Sound Facebook
Published on God Is In The TV 31/05/17 - here
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